The history of Rostvertol began in July 1939 when a Soviet government decree transferred the assets of a woodworking plant in Ryazan to the People’s Commissariat of the Aviation Industry.

Its main products at that time were wooden propellers for military and civil aircraft, as well as field darkrooms to process aerial photographs.

At the beginning of the Second World War the plant began producing wings for MiG-3 fighters, followed by KC-20 amphibious gliders. In October 1941, the plant was evacuated and relocated to the city of Volzhsk in the Mari Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic, where UT-2M aeroplanes were produced in place of gliders.

In October 1944, Plant #168 was transferred from the city of Volzhsk to Rostov-on-Don in the area of Aviation Plant #87. Plants #87 and #168 were combined. For several years the company produced the following aircraft:

UT-2M and PO-2 aeroplanes

In 1946 the plant began producing VT-2M and PO-2 aeroplanes, which were widely used during World War II. Until the late 1940s wooden piston-engine aircraft were produced.

YAK-14 glider

In the early 1950s, wooden piston-engine aircraft were replaced by all-metal construction technology. In 1952, production of the Il-10 attack aircraft began.

Il-40 aeroplanes

Production of the Il-40 started in 1954–1955.

In 1956, a new direction in manufacturing was taken and production of helicopters began.

Mi-1 helicopter

Developed by the Mil design bureau, the Mi-1 was the first mass-produced helicopter. It was at this time that creative collaboration between the enterprise and the Mil design bureau flourished.
The Mi-1 was produced in ambulance, passenger, postal and agricultural models and achieved 27 world records.

Mi-6 helicopter

In 1959, the plant began producing the first heavy-lift assault transport helicopter, the Mi-6, which achieved 16 world records for flying speed and load. Mi-6 helicopters were used to perform work on bridge construction, install equipment at factories, transport and install oil rigs, as well as perform other construction work. The helicopter was produced for more than 20 years beginning in 1959.

Mi-10 and Mi-10K helicopters

In 1964, the plant began producing the heavy-liftMi-10 helicopter, which was designed to transport large loads of up to 15 tons of cargo on platforms. After beginning production in 1964, the Mi-10 helicopter set several world records for load pickup.
In 1974, the Mi-10 helicopter was modified to produce the unique Mi-10K crane helicopter, which is still in service.

Mi-24D helicopter (Mi-25)

Rosvertol has made more than 600 Mi-24D combat transport helicopters since 1985.

The helicopter is designed to destroy armoured vehicles, provide support to fire units of ground forces, carry out landing operations, evacuate the wounded, as well as transport goods either in the cargo cabin or on an external sling.

Mi-24B helicopter (Mi-35)

The Mi-24B helicopter is a version of the Mi-24D with a more powerful weapons system. It has been produced by Rostvertol since 1984.